In 1847, page 511, Mr. Campbell [sic] wrote:

      How comes it that this little volume, composed by men in a rude age, when art and science were but in their childhood, has exerted more influence on the human mind and on the social system, than all other books put together? Whence comes it that this book has achieved such marvelous changes in the opinions and habits of mankind--has banished idol worship--has abolished infanticide--has put down polygamy and divorce--exalted the condition of woman--raised the standard of public morality--created for families that [181] blessed thing, a Christian home--and crowned its other triumphs, by causing benevolent institutions to spring up as with the wand of enchantment! What sort of book is this, that even the winds and waves of human prejudice and passion obey it? What other engine of social improvement has operated so long, and yet lost none of its virtue? Since it appeared, many boasted plans of human amelioration have been tried, and failed; many codes of jurisprudence have arisen, and run their course and expired. Empire after empire has been launched on the tide of time, and gone down, leaving no trace on the waters. But this book is still going about doing good--leavening society with its holy principles--cheering the sorrowful with its consolations--strengthening the tempted--encouraging the penitent--calming the troubled spirit, and soothing the pillow of death. Can such a book be the offspring of human genius? Does not the vastness of its effects demonstrate the excellency of the power to be of God?

[DR. McCULLOCH.]      

      How wonderful that volume, which is at once the oldest and the newest in the world--reaching to the remotest antiquity, yet forever widening in its revelations and influences, in the circle of human civilization and intelligence! "Simple as the language of a child," says an esteemed writer, "it charms the most fastidious taste; mournful as the voice of grief, it reaches the highest pitch of exultation. Intelligible to the unlearned peasant, it supplies the critic and the sage with food for earnest thought. Silent and secret as the reproofs of conscience, it echoes beneath the vaulted dome of the cathedral and shakes the trembling multitudes. The last companion of the dying and destitute, it seals the bridal vow; and crowns the majesty of kings. Closed in the heedless grasp of the luxurious and the slothful, it unfolds its awful record over the yawning grave. Sweet and gentle and consoling to the pure in heart, it thunders and threatens against the unawakened mind. Bright and joyous as the morning star to the benighted traveler, it rolls like the waters of the deluge over the path of him who wilfully mistakes his way. And, finally, adapting, itself to every shade of human character, and to every grade of moral feeling, it instructs the ignorant, woos the gentle, consoles the afflicted, encourages the desponding, rouses the negligent, threatens the rebellious, strikes home the reprobate, and condemns the guilty."

[ROBERT RICHARDSON.]      

Sources:

1. Dr. McCulloch. "Effects of the Scriptures." The Millennial Harbinger 18 (September 1847): 511.

2. Robert Richardson. Extract from "Interpretation of the Scriptures.--No. V." The Millennial Harbinger 19 (March 1848): 134-135.

[MHA1 181-182]